25th April 2014

Mathematics

Our mathematicians swept up the big prizes at Manchester Metropolitan University’s pop maths quiz. The two teams – from our Third and Fifth Years – won both age categories of MMU’s quiz after working together to solve 20 problems which tested their knowledge of algebra, statistics, probability and other branches of mathematics. A team of Fourth Year pupils finished second in the regional heat of the Further Mathematics Support Programme Team Maths Challenge and will now take part in the north-west final at Manchester University on Thursday 1st May. For more details click here.

Middle School

The last day of teaching for pupils in Fifth Year is Friday 2nd May and pupils will be briefed in preparation for the examination period in assembly today (25th April). Any queries about the examinations should be sent to Miss Withington (Head of Year) withingtons@stockportgrammar.co.uk or Mrs Robinson (Examinations Officer) robinsons@stockportgrammar.co.uk.

The Fourth Year examinations take place from Wednesday 14th – Wednesday 21st May. All pupils were given a copy of the timetable before the Easter holidays and a further copy has been posted home with a letter for parents about the examinations. Any queries should be sent to Mr Clarke (Head of Year) at clarken@stockportgrammar.co.uk.

We would like to wish all pupils success in their examinations this summer!

Music

Leavers’ Concert

There are a limited number of tickets available for the Leavers’ Concert on Thursday 1st May. If you require tickets, please contact Mrs Johnson on johnsonsj@stockportgrammar.co.uk

Music Festival

The Music Festival competition takes place on Wednesday 25th June and is open to pupils in every year in either instrumental, vocal or ensemble categories. Pupils may enter more than one category and on more than one instrument. The audition sheets are now up in the Music department and pupils wishing to enter the competition should sign up as soon as possible. The closing date for entries is Friday 9th May. For more details please clickhere

Douglas Steele Award

This is a music prize awarded annually to a deserving pupil from the Fourth Year and upwards. It is intended to finance the pursuit of any distinctive musical interest e.g. advanced composition, conducting, piano accompaniment etc. which is not normally available through regular school musical activities. Pupils who are interested should apply in writing to Mr Dow by Friday 2nd May.

Classics Trip

The Classics Trip to Rome and the Bay of Naples was a great success. Blessed by beautiful Italian sunshine, pupils visited such memorable sites as the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and then Pompeii and Herculaneum. Mr Thorley, who led the trip, said “the pupils were a credit to the school – they showed interest and enthusiasm throughout a full itinerary”. Unfortunately Mr Thorley’s camera did not work, so we would be very grateful for any photos taken during the trip to Italy!

Introductory Beginner Brass Classes

Any pupil interested in beginning to learn a brass instrument is invited to attend beginner group classes in the Music department on Wednesdays or Fridays at 1pm starting on Wednesday 7th May. Please let a member of the Music staff know if you would like your son/daughter to take up this opportunity. Alternatively, pupils should go to the Music Office to let a member of staff know they are interested and obtain a lunch pass. The Music department recently invested in a number of brass instruments ranging from trumpets to tubas for this purpose. There is no catch – the group classes and the use of the instruments within these sessions is entirely free of charge. The classes will be taught by Mr David Moore, who is an extremely enthusiastic and passionate teacher of pupils of all ages and stages. The underlying aim of this introductory scheme is to encourage the take-up of brass instruments and enable pupils to try playing brass instruments without parents having to commit in the first instance to the cost of the instrument or the lessons. It is hoped that this scheme will encourage pupils ultimately to take up one-to-one lessons, but there is no pre-supposed commitment to this at the outset.

Second Year Careers Day

This will be held on Tuesday 24th June, where all Second Year pupils will start to think about what careers they could pursue. In the afternoon we will be running sessions where the pupils can talk to parents and past pupils, from a range of different careers, about what their job involves. If you have an interesting or unusual job and would be willing to give up an afternoon to help with this activity then please contact Mrs Tadman (tadmanh@stockportgrammar.co.uk).

Climbing Club

Climbing Club will be running on some Wednesdays and Fridays this term at the climbing wall. There will be special sessions too on, for example, lead climbing. Pupils should check the noticeboard and sign up. Mr Pinder is also offering a number of outdoor climbing days in the Peak District. Some new dates are available : 7th, 8th, 28th and 29th June. Pupils must have some experience, at least on indoor walls. They should see Mr Pinder at the wall for further details or email pinderm@stockportgrammar.co.uk.

Duathlon Club

This club, which will be run by Mr Wilson (who competes in triathlons), is for any pupil who is interested in the world of multisports (swim, bike, run) and will meet for the first time on Thursday 1st May, 4-5pm at the school pool. It will incorporate some length swimming followed by a long run around the cross country course. The club will be limited to 20 people, all abilities catered for. Pupils should sign up on the sheet outside the Languages Office. Swimming costume, goggles and running/PE kit essential.

Living Edge Art Exhibition

Three of the school’s top young artists – Nicola Ellwood (U18s category), Ella Burton (U16s) and Kitty Grant (U14s) – have had their work displayed at The Lowry as part of this year’s Living Edge magazine school arts competition. For further details click here.

Vernon Show

The Vernon Show will take place on Wednesday 30th April at lunchtime. This is a showcase for talented pupils to perform to the school, whilst raising money for all the House Charities. There are a wide range of acts performing, from singers and musicians, to those performing dance routines and demonstrating circus skills. Entry is a minimum £1 donation and the show will be the centre point for the Vernon Charity week, which is running all through next week.

Second Year trip to Grasmere

Any outstanding payments for the Second Year outdoor pursuits trip to Grasmere in July, are due by 30th April at the latest. Pupils should hand payments to Mrs Cartwright in the school office.

Squash Club

Squash Club have now started a squash ladder. Pupils of all abilities are welcome to join and should email Ed Robinson in Sixth Form on robinsone08@stockportgrammar.co.uk to express an interest. Alternatively they can speak to Mrs Johnson in the English department.

History Trip to Berlin

There will be a History trip to Berlin and Potsdam departing 2nd April 2015 and returning 6th April 2015. The trip will be for IGCSE pupils and above. Further details will be announced shortly.

Piano Masterclass

The Wellspring are hosting a Piano Masterclass and Recital in the Hallam Hall on Saturday 14th June. Mr Patrick Hemmerlé, a French concert pianist who tutors at Cambridge University and is an Associate of Clare College, will be holding the Masterclass 2–5pm followed by the Recital at 7.30 pm. Tickets to view the Masterclass are £4 or £10 for the Masterclass & Recital (£8 for students). For further information please click here.

Summer Activity Weeks

The school’s Summer Activity Weeks will take place from the 4th – 8th August and 11th -15th August. Further details and an application form are available on the school’s website, click here or from the Bursar’s Secretary on 0161 419 2401. The Activity Weeks are open to boys and girls aged between 7 and 13 years from any school.

Congratulations

Footballer Alice Coombes is one step closer to the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) England squad after being selected to attend an U18 girls’ development camp this summer. For further details click here.

Thank You

The Library would like to thank the 112 pupils who donated their World Book Day vouchers to send books to the charity EducAid Sierra Leone.

SPA

The SPA are holding a Uniform Sale on Wednesday 30th April in the Dining Hall, 3-6pm.

Please take all goods, clearly labelled with your child’s name and form, to the truck outside the Bursary on Monday 28th or Tuesday 29th April prior to the sale. If you are able to help for an hour or two, please contact: Julie Hanson on 0161 439 1540 or Sarah Travis on 07977063720.

Oxbridge Dinner

We are pleased to invite parents to the Stockport Grammar School Oxbridge Dinner which will be held on Friday 2nd May 2014 at Hertford College, Oxford. Tickets are £55 each (£35 for full-time students), the ticket price includes meal and drinks. Dress is Black Tie for gentlemen and cocktail dresses for ladies.

To book your tickets please download the request form here and return it with your cheque to External Relations. Please make cheques payable to Stockport Grammar School.

Golf Day

Our annual Golf Day in association with the Vernon Building Society is being held on Thursday 12th June 2014 at Stockport Golf Club, one of Cheshire’s premier golf venues. We would like to extend an invitation for you to join us on the course and hope that you will be able to support us. The profit we raise on the day goes directly to the Stockport Grammar School Bursary Fund. It is our goal to offer as many local children as possible the opportunity to come to the school regardless of means.

To book your team’s place or pledge your sponsorship support, please download the booking form here and return it to Rebecca Taberner in External Relations. If you would like to join in but don’t have enough players to put together a team of four, we are happy to put groups together, subject to numbers.

Results

Please check the news pages on our website for regular updates. We would welcome your comments and suggestions, or if you would like to opt out of receiving the email newsletter, please contact the External Relations Office at externalrelations@stockportgrammar.co.uk